Topic: Solder or dipped terminal ends?

[CharlesTurner]

Does anyone know what was used to coat terminal ends?  Like ground wires/battery cables? 

[67gtasanjose]

Dipped in "no clean" liquid flux, then dipped into a "no clean" molten solder bath (solder pot).
It can be done also by hand-soldering.

[jwc66k]

Does anyone know what was used to coat terminal ends?  Like ground wires/battery cables?

Solder. The process is called "tinning", and it's best done with a soldering iron, not a soldering gun. Other "tools" needed are a small bowl of water, a small piece of sponge (I prefer a 1 X 1 X 3 inch chunk), 60-40 solder, patients. The sponge is dipped in the water to clean the iron's tip, the hot piece being tinned, and to remove excessive solder from the hot piece. I normally use rosin core solder vs. acid core (availability mostly, it's what i got). Professionally, a solder pot is used (What? You don't have one?).
Here's one link from many that describes the process.
https://chicagoselectrician.com/mcc/how-to-tin-a-wire/
Be careful, it's hot. Ask me how I know.
Jim
Certified assembly technician/engineer, USN (three times), NASA, USA, USAF (twice)
PS: Add a pair of small pliers or a stainless medical hemostat to the tools section.

[CharlesTurner]

Thanks, will look into that.


I've had some parts hot tin dipped and they came out shiny, so wasn't sure if same process for terminal ends as those are usually a flat/low gloss gray appearance.

[J_Speegle]

I've had some parts hot tin dipped and they came out shiny, so wasn't sure if same process for terminal ends as those are usually a flat/low gloss gray appearance.

Did you try the acidic wheel cleaner trick to try and dull them down?

[CharlesTurner]

Did you try the acidic wheel cleaner trick to try and dull them down?

I had filler necks tin dipped and used a blasting/tumbling combination to dull them down.

[midlife]

Solder. The process is called "tinning", and it's best done with a soldering iron, not a soldering gun. Other "tools" needed are a small bowl of water, a small piece of sponge (I prefer a 1 X 1 X 3 inch chunk), 60-40 solder, patients. The sponge is dipped in the water to clean the iron's tip, the hot piece being tinned, and to remove excessive solder from the hot piece. I normally use rosin core solder vs. acid core (availability mostly, it's what i got). Professionally, a solder pot is used (What? You don't have one?).
Here's one link from many that describes the process.
https://chicagoselectrician.com/mcc/how-to-tin-a-wire/
Be careful, it's hot. Ask me how I know.
Jim
Certified assembly technician/engineer, USN (three times), NASA, USA, USAF (twice)
PS: Add a pair of small pliers or a stainless medical hemostat to the tools section.

My first job ever was soldering gauge components for an aviation company.  I had to spend a lot of time training.  One of the things I was taught was to clean the solder joint with alcohol to remove the resin residue, as it will cause corrosion. 

I don't remember seeing tinned ground lugs, but then again, I don't look that closely at them.  Charles: which ground lug is that from?  I'd like to verify that it was tinned from the factory.

[jwc66k]

My first job ever was soldering gauge components for an aviation company. 

I designed, tested and assembled lumped constant delay lines for early IBM computer use. The same technology was used to create acoustical delay lines for US Navy use. My "initial training" was in the USN as a radar and cryptographic technician. My delay line wire soldering training was provided by three ladies that assembled radios and radars for WWII use. All three knew both my grandmothers, who worked at the same plant at the same time.
Don't you just love history.

I had filler necks tin dipped and used a blasting/tumbling combination to dull them down.

I thought those were hot lead dipped, maybe a 90-10 lead-tin mix.
Jim
Jim

[C6ZZGT]

I designed, tested and assembled lumped constant delay lines for early IBM computer use. The same technology was used to create acoustical delay lines for US Navy use. My "initial training" was in the USN as a radar and cryptographic technician. My delay line wire soldering training was provided by three ladies that assembled radios and radars for WWII use. All three knew both my grandmothers, who worked at the same plant at the same time.
Don't you just love history.I thought those were hot lead dipped, maybe a 90-10 lead-tin mix.
Jim
Jim

Family history is always pretty cool.